Mo Yan wasn't having it. He shook his head and snapped, "You've got some nerve rushing us—this is all your fault in the first place!"
Zixuan turned to Tianlang, her brow furrowed. "You were in the car too. Don't tell me you didn't feel anything?"
Tianlang shrugged, palms up. "Maybe I'm used to it. You know, we don't have vehicles that advanced here. Traveling long distances usually means a bumpy ride in a horse-drawn wagon."
Zhao Heng let out a long, weary sigh. Fifteen minutes later, Kaelin stowed the vehicle back into her ring, and the group set off on foot alongside the wagon into the mountains.
Mo Yan tried to make conversation with Williamsk, but the man gave him the cold shoulder. It wasn't until talking to his siblings that Mo Yan learned their names: Williamina, the middle sibling, and Williamkaz, the youngest.
The journey up the mountain was anything but peaceful. Wave after wave of rampaging monsters descended from the cliffs, attacking them without hesitation. These creatures were far more aggressive than normal, as if something had driven them mad—they lashed out at anything alive, indiscriminately.
After fending off five or six attacks in succession, the party finally earned a brief respite.
The wagon driver brought the cart to a stop beneath a withered tree. Yue Tianlang approached him.
"Shopkeeper."
The man turned around. "Hm? Oh, it's you. Just call me Old Qiao."
Tianlang nodded. "Alright, Shopkeeper Qiao. Has the mountain always been this dangerous? Sure, monster attacks aren't unheard of, but this frequency…"
"You noticed too, huh? You're right—Direwolf Mountain's always been risky, but never like this. Folks in the village say it's the doing of a demon in the mountain."
"A demon?" Tianlang tilted his head.
"Yeah. I heard it from the village elders. Supposedly, five hundred years ago, Evilbane rescued a wounded gray wolf on this very mountain. That wolf later took on human form out of gratitude and became Evilbane's first contract partner. But from that day forward, misfortune began to spread across the Darklands. Eventually, Evilbane had no choice but to exile the wolf to Direwolf Mountain. Even then, people kept hearing howls at night—and some even claimed to see a human-shaped wolf roaming the slopes."
"You mean to say, the wolf Evilbane saved is the so-called demon?" Zhao Heng stepped over, his tone skeptical.
Old Qiao nodded. "That's what everyone believes. Five centuries later, there's still no better explanation."
"Utter nonsense!" a sudden shout interrupted him. It was Williamsk, storming forward, face grim and furious. "My ancestor was nothing like what your gossip paints him to be!"
"A-ancestor?" Old Qiao froze.
The outburst left him stunned. That one word sent his thoughts spiraling.
"Mr. Williamsk, what are you doing?" Zhao Heng stepped between them, expression tight.
Before anyone could say more, a lone wolf's howl pierced the air.
Ooooo—
Everyone turned to see a bipedal wolf striding out of the mist, its blood-red eyes locked onto them. Behind it came a full pack—rock wolves and other wolf-like monsters. At least five of them stood upright like the leader.
"W-Werewolves!" Old Qiao screamed, and everyone immediately fell into formation.
Williamsk didn't move at first. He stared at the oncoming wolves, then let out a slow breath.
"Hah… Just some beasts that happen to walk on two legs, and you dare call them 'werewolves'?"
"Big Brother!" Williamina and Williamkaz tried to stop him, but he charged ahead.
Muscles rippling, his body began to shift—white fur sprouting, limbs distorting, claws and fangs emerging. In an instant, Williamsk transformed into a true werewolf.
Everyone, from Mo Yan to Old Qiao, was stunned into silence. The real werewolf had been walking among them the whole time.
With a roar, Williamsk lunged at the monsters. His arms moved in a blur.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
Each claw strike tore through flesh. Every swipe shredded another beast. Blood flew, limbs scattered. He was a whirlwind of fury, a white demon dancing through carnage.
The battle ended in mere moments. Williamsk had single-handedly annihilated the wolf pack.
He walked calmly back toward the group.
"No way… That guy's really…" Kaelin's voice trembled with disbelief.
Zhao Heng and Zixuan instinctively stepped in front of Old Qiao. Given what Williamsk had just said—and the raw power he had displayed—it was hard to believe this wouldn't end violently.
But Mo Yan stepped forward instead. Swallowing hard, he forced a smile. "That was incredible, Big Bro Williamsk."
The werewolf stopped in front of him, staring silently. Everyone held their breath.
Finally, he gave a dismissive snort. "Tch. You calling me big bro? You're still wet behind the ears, kid."
He brushed past Mo Yan. When he reached Zhao Heng and Zixuan, he gently nudged them aside. Now face-to-face with Old Qiao, he raised his arm.
Panicked, Old Qiao flinched and covered his head.
But then—he felt a hand patting it gently.
"I didn't mean to scare you, Shopkeeper. I'm sorry—I overreacted earlier."
"Huh?" Old Qiao blinked, stunned.
He stammered, waving his hands. "N-No, no! It's fine, really!"
He scratched his head, not sure what to say. He wanted to ask more, but feared angering the man again.
Williamsk returned to his human form.
"I know your kind has always misunderstood us wolfkin," he said calmly. "I don't expect you to change that overnight. But don't lump us in with mindless monsters."
He looked at the others, then turned and continued up the mountain.
Night fell. The group found shelter in a cave, lighting a fire inside. Everyone rested—except Williamsk, who stood outside, letting the mountain winds whip through his hair.
Even with all their questions, no one dared speak up. They couldn't shake the image of him going berserk in the daylight.
Eventually, Williamkaz came out, speaking softly. "Big Bro, it's cold out here. Come inside and warm up."
Williamsk shook his head. "I prefer the quiet. You guys eat and sleep—don't worry about me."
The others exchanged glances. After a moment, Zhao Heng stood up and walked over. He sat beside Williamsk without hesitation.
"Mr. Williamsk… Sometimes, sharing your story helps lighten the burden."
Williamsk narrowed his eyes. "You trying to get something out of me, kid?"
"No," Zhao Heng replied calmly. "I just want to understand the truth—what really happened back then. The story of the wolfkin."
"Yeah!" Old Qiao joined in, followed by the rest of the group. "Everything I've heard about your kind came from old village tales. I used to think you were evil. But after what I saw today… I know that's not the whole truth. Please—tell us. What really happened five hundred years ago?"
[To be continued in Chapter 17: Truth in the Blood]
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